Closure construction



4 i M u H- in,

I W I I I Ii ll June 7, 1960 w. s. HASSLER 7 CLOSURE CONSTRUCTION v Filed May 20, 1957 INVENT OR.

flmjwfzl n/MM p w United States Patent 2,939,511 I CLOSURE CONSTRUCTION 1 Filed May 20, 19-51, Ser.No. 660,159

1 Claim c1. 222-556) This invention relates to a closure construction and, more particularly, to a closure for a sifter-type ofcontainer, such as a salt box or the like.

In containers of this type, it is most desirable to close off the perforations formed in one surface of the container, when the latter is not in use, so as to prevent accidental discharge of the contents of the container or to prevent moisture or foreign matter from finding its way into the interior of the container.

Various closures of this particular type have heretofore been proposed, which are ineffective or undesirable for one or more reasons. For example, such prior closures are oftentimes of complex construction and have a tendency to be adversely afiected or rendered inoperative by the material being dispensed from the container. In addition, such prior closures frequently are not provided with means for effectively retaining the closure in a closed position with respect to the container perforations.

Thus, it is one of the objects of this invention to provide an improved closure which is not beset with the aforementioned difiiculties.

2,939,617 Patented June 7, 196i! P ICC 2 V media the packing of table salt or the, like, is shown, which has one end surface 11 thereof provided with a pouring spout 12 for overlying an enlarged aperture 12a formed in said surface and in improved closure 13,;the latter being adapted to overlie and close off a plurality of relatively small perforations 14 formed in said container end surface 11 in spaced relation with respectto used in combination with a surface having a plurality of perforations arranged in relatively close proximity to one another and a slit arrangement formed in said surface in spaced relation with respect to said plurality of perforations. The improved closure comprises a cover piece which is pivotally mounted on the surface adjacent the perforations thereof and is adapted, when in one position of pivotal adjustment, to overlie and close off the perforations. The cover piece is provided with a tab which extends angularly from the periphery thereof and is adapted to be inserted in the surface slit arrangement and frictionally retain the cover piece in its overlying position.

For a more complete. understanding of this invention,

7 reference should be made to the drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a container, showing the improved closure mounted thereon "and the cover piece thereof in overlying relation with said enlarged aperture. 7

The pouring spout 12, which is of conventional construction, is pivotally mounted on the surface 11 and is adapted, whenin the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2, to overlie and close ofi aperture 12a. The aperture 12a and pouring spout 12 are provided to enable 'a large amount of material disposed within the'container to be poured directly from the container through aperture 12a. The perforations 14, on the other hand, are provided to enable the material within the container to be sifted therefrom upon the container being disposed in an inverted position, the pouring spout 12 in a closed position, and the closure 13 in the position shown in Fig. 2. The perforations 14 are arranged, in this instance, in relatively close proximity with respect to one another and define a triangular pattern. It is to be understood, of course, that the arrangement of the perforations may be varied from that shown, without departing from the scope of this invention.

Formed in container surface 11, in this instance, in addition to aperture 12a and perforations 14, is a slit arrangement comprising a pair of slits 15 which are disposed in relatively spaced relation with respect to one another and with respect to the perforations 14. The function of the slits 15 will become apparent from the discussion to follow hereinafter. In addition, the number, shape, and relative position of the slits may be varied without departing from the scope of the invention.

The improved closure 13 comprises a relatively flat cover piece 16 which, in this instance, defines a triangular shape of greater proportions than the triangular pattern formed by perforations 14. The cover piece 16 is provided, along one side thereof, with a pair of tabs 17 which are adapted to embrace a staple or pin 18, carried by the container surface 11 in a position adjacent and substantially parallel to one side of the triangular pattern formed by perforations 14. The tabs 17 permit the cover piece 16 to be pivoted or hinged about pin 18 as an axis whereby the cover piece either overlies'and closes off the perforations 14 formed in container surface 11 or uncovers the same, depending upon the purpose for which the container is to be used. Cover piece 16 is also provided,.along the other two sides thereof, with tabs 20 which are bent in substantially the same direction relative to the cover piece to assume angular positions with respect to the plane of cover member 16, whereby such tabs will be inserted in the corresponding slits 15 formed in the container surface 11 and, thereby, frictionally retain the cover 'piece in its closed position as shown in Fig. 1. The tabs 20 are formed on the periphery of the cover piece 16 and are preferably spaced a substantial distance from the pivotal axis of the cover piece.

Formed in the central portion of the cover piece 16 are a plurality of protuberances 21, which extend from the cover piece in substantially the same direction as tabs 20 and, when the cover piece is in the position shown in Fig. 1, are adapted to register with and project into or through the perforations 14 formed in container surface 11. By reason of this fact, protuberances 21 prevent perforations 14 from becoming clogged with the contents of the container and, in addition, prevent moisture or foreign matter from finding its. way through perforations 14, when the cover piece 16 is in its closed position.

The outer edge portion 22 of cover piece 16 is offset upwardly a slight amount so as to facilitate manipulating the cover piece from its closed position to its open position.

The shape of the cover piece and the number of'retaining tabs 20, as well as protuberances 21, may be varied to suit the particular size and shape of the container on which the improved closure is mounted, without departing from the scope of this invention.

Thus, it will be seen that an improved closure has been provided which is simple, yet sturdy, in construction, attractive in appearance, and effectively prevents clogging of the container perforations by the contents of-the container. In addition, the improved closure is adapted to effectively retain the cover piece in its closed position and thus prevent moisture or foreign material from finding its way intothe interior of the container through the perforations 14 when the closure member is in its closed position. a v a While a particular embodiment iof-this inventionis shown above, it will be understood, of 'coursethat the invention is not to be limited thereto, since many modifications may be made and it is contemplated, therefore, by the appended :claims, to cover any such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

I claim:

The combination of a wall for a container, having a plurality of perforations arranged in close proximity with respect to one another and at least one slit disposed on 25 the periphery of said perforation arrangement, and a closure for said perforations and said slit, said closure comprising a cover piece and pin means mounted on said wall, said cover piece being pivotal about said pin means disposed along a peripheral segment of said cover piece, said cover piece having a plurality of protuberances insertable into said wall perforations to effect closingtoff thereof when said cover piece is in one position of pivotal adjustment, and at least one angularly spaced tab mounted on the periphery of said cover piece and spaced from said pin means, said tab, when said cover piece is in said one position of pivotal adjustment, being insertable into frictional locking engagement with said slit whereby said cover pieceis retained in said one position of pivotal adjustment.

7' I FOREIGN PATENTS 589,097'

France, May 22, 1925' 

